Choosing a Hot Water Heater

July 26, 2017July 26, 2017 by Eddie Evans

Hot water heaters come in two basic varieties: tank heaters or tankless heaters. Tank heaters are by far the most common type. They are the ones that fill up with water, and an energy source heats up the water. The hot water sits in the tank until it is used in your home. A tankless water heater pipes water through the water heater from your plumbing system; that water is then heated as it is used. Tankless heaters are in use when there’s not much hot water being used in a venue, which is your first consideration when making a decision. Do you need a tank heater or a tankless water heater?

The best way to determine what kind of tank you need is to talk with plumbers in Melbourne. If you’re having problems with your current water heater, you’ll need to talk with them about your troubles. It’s possible the existing heater can actually be fixed. If not, the problems will be a good indication of what kind of heater you need.

How Many People?

Determining the water heater is often dependent on how many bathrooms you have and how many people you have using them. If you only have one or two bathrooms with two or three people using them, a water heater in the 120 litre range is probably sufficient. However, that can change in certain instances. If you have teenagers, they will likely shower longer and more often than a young kid. Therefore, you’d need a bigger water heater. Furthermore, athletes, those who exercise often, and those who work blue collar jobs tend to shower longer and more often than others.

Shower Rush?

Is there a shower rush in your house? A shower rush is a period of time, usually an hour or two, in which multiple people take showers. Such a rush is typical for people who go to work and have kids who go to school. There can be several people trying to shower before they leave the house. In those instances, you’ll need a larger water heater. It’s important to speak with a plumber before you choose one, though.

A plumber will be able to give you good advice about what you actually need. For example, a smaller water heater can often suffice even during a shower rush if you turn the heat up. Turning up the heat will increase the temperature of the hot water, which means that less hot water is needed to achieve a comfortable shower temperature. The balance between getting a larger tank and choosing to just turn the heat up is a financial one. You’ll spend more money on energy by turning the heat up, but you’ll save some water.

A plumber can give you advice on achieving that proper balance. They’ll also be able to give you some good tips on being more efficient with your hot water.

Lastly, a plumber who installs your new hot water heater will be intimately familiar with your household needs and your specific appliance. Such familiarity means the plumber will be able to quickly and effectively troubleshoot potential problems.